The playing status of Morgantown High forward Kameron Law was in question going into Friday's Region I, Section 2 basketball tournament game with University High.

MHS center Ben Torsney supplied the answer.

Law did start the top-ranked Mohigans' 67-41 victory against the Hawks, but as UHS coach Bruce Clinton would say after the game, "Let's be honest, Law didn't even have to play in this game."

Torsney was the reason why.

The 6-foot-6 senior center scored 21 points and pulled down 15 rebounds, seven of them of the offensive variety, to lead the MHS onslaught.

"I was so fired up for this game," Torsney said. "I couldn't wait to get here tonight. I love beating UHS and I think all of us were in the mindset that we were going to do whatever it takes to do it."

Torsney had 13 points and eight rebounds as the Mohigans took a 36-17 halftime lead. At one point midway in the second quarter, UHS cut the deficit to 25-15, but would get no closer the rest of the game.

"It's been happening for 23 games," Clinton said. "We'll get close, but we just can't get over the hump. Hopefully, we'll find an answer this summer when we begin workouts. I think fatigue plays a part in it. Right now, we just can't physically match up with some teams, because we're not strong enough."

The victory advances the Mohigans (22-1) to the Region I title game, March 9, at East Fairmont, against John Marshall. The Monarchs defeated Brooke on Friday night, 63-59, in overtime.

Law, the team's second-leading scorer, started the game with a rubber sleeve around his left knee, which has a chipped bone in it. Law will finish the season playing with the sleeve, then might need surgery. He had six points and three rebounds.

"Kameron had his moments tonight," Morgantown coach Tom Yester said. "It was up to the trainers right before the game. The sleeve held the bone in place and we let him go.

"We still expect the same kind of play from him that we always expect. He's had some time off, so he needs to get back into playing shape, but I think he'll be fine."

Whatever slack needed to be picked up, Torsney did it.

"Ben showed his stuff out there tonight," Yester said. "He did a terrific job of rebounding. I wasn't too happy about some of the silly fouls he picked up, but overall I thought he had an outstanding game."

Torsney's 15 rebounds led the Mohigans on a night when they outrebounded the Hawks (2-21), 49-25.

"Well, when you have a bunch of guys that are 6-foot-5 or taller, you should get most of the rebounds," Clinton said. "You're talking about a team that probably has three or four all-staters.

"I liked our effort tonight and I thought our guys played hard. We need to concentrate on becoming stronger in the offseason, and with the guys I have and as dedicated as they are, I think they'll do just that."

Tyler Benson hit two 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 11 points for MHS, while John Oliver and Marlin Robinson each came off the bench to score eight points.

Benson's performance came after he was held to two points in the Mohigans' regular-season finale, a loss to Parkersburg South.

Matt Lemine came off the bench to score 11 points to lead the Hawks. The loss brought an end to the career of UHS senior Charles Cyphert, who finished with nine points. Cyphert fouled out with 2:54 left in the third quarter after picking up a technical foul.